An enterprise starts with a spark of imagination. You look and see the possibilities but also wonder, how? Just as a successful business can’t start in a day, a business owner doesn’t become an entrepreneur without training the mind. Education is the key for individuals to become more talented business managers and entrepreneurs.
The Small Business Administration reported that students who took part in entrepreneurship programs showed better self-confidence and initiative. Business schools always have entrepreneurship courses and degree programs to further push students into entrepreneurism. That’s because it takes leadership, initiative, risk and creativity to become an accomplished impresario. While some of this is just due to an innate ability, other traits have to be acquired through study and application. A business degree with a focus in entrepreneurship is the salvation for the fledgling entrepreneur.
Any business school worth its salt has an entrepreneurship degree program. These courses are designed to change the way a person thinks towards many aspects of life, not just business. Students learn about enterprise analysis and design, innovative business sustainability tactics, accounting and finance, and marketing theories.
Business programs with an emphasis on entrepreneurship tend to really focus on the risk aspects of the role. Entrepreneurs just have that thirst to take information and turn it into a strategy, and that’s why many of these individuals must be able to handle the risks of starting a business alone. It’s also the reason why they receive so much recognition from other businesses, just for being able to do something different. However, that’s only if they are successful.
Taking classes in entrepreneurship is the first step. Talented professors, immersive projects and internships are the other parts of entrepreneurship programs that help train a person’s mind for becoming more business-minded and innovative. In addition, schools also have other organizations and business clubs for entrepreneurs which makes networking and partnerships much easier.
Many businesses form in college after students find like-minded individuals who can develop ideas into profitable services or products. Professors can also be just the right mentor for taking strategy and training a step further, as well as providing honest feedback and guidance.
In addition, entrepreneurship is about knowing how to work with technology and people. Steve Jobs once said, “You can’t ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get that built, they’ll want something new.” Many successful enterprises didn’t get where they are because they were lucky or had some intrinsic quality. It was their ability to combine business tactics with sociology, engineering, technology or science.
You can’t only be thinking of what customers want. You have to be ahead of the customer, feeling out different industries and playing with risk to create something that takes off. That’s why imagination is key to a successful enterprise, and while business owners may fear failure, an entrepreneur must gain strength from the enthusiasm to continue on, believing in your own ability and ambition.
About the Author: C.K. Adams has worked in the newspaper and publishing field since 2003. Specializing in education, her published work focuses on career advice, counseling and continuing education help. She frequently contributes to University of Florida’s newspaper “The Alligator” with in depth tips to help graduates transition after college. Adams also publishes on a variety of career advice and college road map blogs.